PRE ASSESSMENT: ENGAGE

I. Match these beautiful Asian writings to their respective

country and meaning.
 INTRODUCTION

This unit will focus on the nature, function, and

appreciation of visual arts in East Asia. In particular,
it will highlight the arts of China, Japan, and Korea.
Each lesson is designed to develop student’s
understanding and appreciation of the rich cultural
heritage and the fascinating art forms in this part of
the region.
 INTRODUCTION

Art would serve as a tool to learn and appreciate the

diversity of the cultures that are connected to the
traditions and beliefs of the people from these Asian
countries. By acquainting oneself with the important
heritage that Asian cultures have established, one can
begin to recognize the variety of creative expressions that
will help in understanding the environment, human
relationships, and the spiritual world.
 CONTENT STANDARDS

In this quarter, you will be able to…

1. understand art elements and processes by synthesizing
and applying prior knowledge and skills; and
2. identify the salient features of the arts of East Asia by
showing the relationship of the elements of art and
processes among culturally diverse communities in the
region.
 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

In this quarter, you will be able to…

1. create artworks showing the characteristic
elements of the arts of East Asia; and
2. exhibit completed artworks for appreciation and
critiquing
 OBJECTIVES

a.identify the different early art forms of China;

b.describe using some elements and principles
of arts present in Chinese Arts;
c.apply Chinese Calligraphy using their names.
MAPEH 8
ARTS OF
EAST ASIA
Asian People and Beliefs
To understand the arts and culture of
Asia in deeper context, one has to
first take a look at Asian attributes
and their way of life, that are
important facets of their art. Most
Asians are deeply spiritual and not
materialistic.
Asian People and Beliefs
Asians are also fatalistic and believe
that human beings are influenced by
superior forces. In contrast to the
Westerners, Asians do not believe that
they are the “masters of their souls”
and therefore must be cautious on how
they live their lives. Their freedom of
choice is significantly affected by their
family, society, customs, environment,
and religion.
 Arts and Culture
Art is an important aspect of Asian culture. Art
has always been present in activities
performed in different communities, from
celebrations of life in rituals of planting,
harvesting, and thanksgiving. Art indeed is a
reflection of the ideals, beliefs, and aspirations
of Asian societies. Their philosophy and their
way of living are visually translated to their
architecture, music and performing arts,
rituals, and even their literature.
 CHINESE ART & ITS LEGACY TO THE WORLD

The word calligraphy literally means “good

writing.” For the Chinese, it goes beyond
exquisite way of writing characters, for they
consider it an art from requiring mental
discipline involving both the body and the
soul. These written characters express
feelings and emotions in a unique way.

SUN TREE PEACE LOVE

 CHINESE ART & ITS LEGACY TO THE WORLD

Calligraphy is a form of self-cultivation and self-

expression. It is also traditionally regarded as the
highest form of visual art. A fine piece of calligraphy is
often more valued by collectors that good painting.

A person’s character was also judged by his or her

handwriting, for elegant hand writing was believed to
reveal a person’s astute character and refinement.

SUN TREE PEACE LOVE

 Artists like Kuo Hsi, Fan Kuan, and Jing Hao believed
CHINESE
that the valueLANDSCAPE PAINTING
of landscape painting is based on its
capacity to make viewers feel as if they were in the
Chinese landscape paintings are a reflection of the principles
place pictured.
and ideas of Taoism. The Song dynasty is considered not just
as the “Great Age of Chinese Landscape” but also the “Golden
Era of Chinese Painting.”
Ink-wash painting, also known as shui-mo hua, is a type
CHINESE LANDSCAPE PAINTING
of brush painting of Chinese origin. It makes us of the
same black ink used in calligraphy. It became highly
regarded and prestigious form of art, practiced by the
literari for centuries, and was later developed to add
color.
 CHINESE ARCHITECTURE

Forbidden City, Beijing:

Palace Museum

Porcelain Pagoda, 1431 Ming

Dynasty. Nanking, China
 CHINESE ARCHITECTURE

Chinese Pagodas
The pagodas were commonly
fastened and constructed
from octagonal bricks
and usually. had three, five,
seven, nine, or thirteen
stories, since even
numbers are considered
unlucky.
 CHINESE ARCHITECTURE

Ancient Chinese architecture is considered one of

the significant elements of the world's
architecture. Chinese architecture stresses the
visual impact of the width or the horizontality of
the buildings. The palaces of the Forbidden City for
example, have low ceilings compared to equivalent
stately buildings of the Western world, but its
exterior design gives the impression of the all-
embracing nature of imperial China.
 CHINA’S ANCIENT WONDERS

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

One of the most amazing feats of Chinese civilization is the Great Wall
ofIn 1974,
China. It was constructed in 221 BC. The wall which stretches 6,000
Terracotta Army pre-modern architectural
Chinese farmers discovered a

kilometers, is considered
lifesized clay statue of a Chinese soldier.
Government archaeologists and scientists were the longest
structure. undergroundIt wasthatone
called in and to their surprise found an
elaborate mausoleum housed of the Seven Wonders of the World and was

granted the World

of his army Heritage
the tomb of Emperor Qin Shih Huang. About
8,000 Terracotta clay statues stood status by UNESCO by 1987. It is estimated
that up to one ofone
in battle formation next to the tomb.
This is considered million people died while constructing the Great Wall
the greatest
archaeological sites in the world.
making it “the longest cemetery in the world.”
 CHINA’S ANCIENT WONDERS

In THE GREAT
1974, WALLfarmers
Chinese OF discovered a life-sized clay statue of a
CHINA
Chinese soldier. Government archaeologists and scientists were called in
and to their surprise found an elaborate underground mausoleum that
housed the tomb of Emperor Qin Shih Huang. About 8,000 Terracotta
clay statues of his army stood in battle formation next to the tomb. This
is considered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world.

Terracotta Army
 ACTIVITY. MY BEAUTIFUL NAME

On a piece of paper provided, you will write

your FIRST NAME using the
CALLIGRAPHY of China. You will be guided
by an illustration of the Chinese Alphabet.

SUN TREE PEACE LOVE

1 whole sheet of paper.

1. What particular art elements dominate Chinese Arts?

2. What are the prominent art principles used by Chinese

artists in their production of arts and crafts?

3. Given the set of discoveries and inventions of China, how

can we describe them as a civilization?

Based, from the ancient art forms of China, what do you think
are its contribution to its country?
 MAPEH 8
LESSON 2: ARTS OF JAPAN & KOREA
JAPAN
 INTRODUCTION

Japan is an island nation in East Asia located in the Pacific

Ocean, just off eastern coast of mainland Asia. Its
landscape is a magnificent fusion of modern life and
ancient tradition with its cosmopolitan cities and imperial
palaces; skyscrapers and age-old shrines and temples;
bullet trains and mountain parks; and many more happy
contradictions.
 PRE-ASSESSMENT

CROSSWORD PUZZLE. Write each letter of your answer on the

boxes provided in the puzzle. Please be guided by the clues given
below the puzzle.
ACROSS
PRE-ASSESSMENT
Japanese preparation and serving of cooked vinegar rice
2. Also called cherry blossom, the unofficial national flower of
Japan
4. Japanese animation
5. Crash Landing On You, Descendants of the Sun, Itaewon Class
6. Highest mountain in Japan
DOWN
1. The warrior aristocracy of Japan
7. A specific type of Japanese poem which has 17 syllables
divided into three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables.
8. Writing system of Korea
9. Capital of South Korea
 ART OF JAPAN: VISUAL ARTS

Japanese visual arts are greatly influenced by their

beliefs in forces of nature (Shintoism) and the
impermanence of life (Buddhism). Western influence
on Japanese art did not come into play until much
later because of the self-imposed policy of isolation
in which the Japanese closed all contact with the
outside world.
 ART OF JAPAN: PAINTINGS
Japanese painting is considered as its oldest art
and flourished during the height of the Heian
period (794-1185). During this period, Chinese
influence was gradually declining Japanese
artisans would rather use brush in writing than a
pen. Their acquaintance with painting
techniques using the brush made them
particular and sensitive to the aesthetics of
painting.
 ART OF JAPAN: PAINTINGS
Story telling was also done
through painting. The
Burning of the Sanjo Palace
is a handscroll, a common
East Asian painting format
known in Japan as emaki.
The nearly 23 feet long
handsroll illustrates the
shocking revolt that took
place one evening in
December 1159 AD.
 ART OF JAPAN: ARCHITECTURE
Traditional Japanese
architecture can be traced back
to fifth century BC when houses
made of terracotta were built by
Japanese Neolithic tribe known
as Jomon. They lived in small
pit houses no larger than four
meters.
The Yayoi period- Elevated houses, which
appeared during the Joson period, became
the norm during this period.
 ART OF JAPAN: ARCHITECTURE
The Kofun period- “Kofun”
means “ancient grave.” It is
significant because it was
during this period when
Megalithic tombs, called
timuli were constructed.
The Narra period- It was in this
period when hundreds of temples
and shrines were built during this era.
The Todaiji Temple is the largest of
the Seven Great Temple of Nara.
 POTTERY AND SCULPTURE
Pottery is one of Japan’s oldest art forms
dating back from the Neolithic period.

The Arita porcelain was designed

using dragon and floral patterns.
Arita is a broad term used to
identify the porcelain that was
discovered in the town of Arita
near the end of 16th century.
POTTERY AND SCULPTURE
The Japanese also have their unique
form of paper sculpture commonly known
as Origami. It Is not only made as toys
or for decorative purposes, but also as a
way to express kindness and love to
someone if this is given as a gift. Origami
requires patience and skills. This art can
actually elevate your interest to create
aesthetically pleasing objects out of
simple paper.
OTHER JAPANESE ART FORMS

Ikebana or the Japanese

art of flower arrangement
is the art of arranging
flowers and plants, which
symbolizes the dynamic
relationship of the things in
this world.
OTHER JAPANESE ART FORMS

Bonsai, meaning “plant in a

tray,” is the art of cultivating
ornamental shrubs and trees,
artificially dwarfed so that they
seem replicas of big trees.
OTHER JAPANESE ART FORMS

Manga is a unique art of creating

comics and cartoons popularized in
Japan. It refers to modern Japanese
cartoons, which include a broad
range of genres including action-
adventure, romance, mystery,
science-fiction and fantasy, horror,
suspense, sports, and many more.
KOREA
 INTRODUCTION

Korea is known by its romantic moniker “Land of the

Morning Calm,” or choson because of their calm and
misty mornings. Korea’s rich culture is steeped in
tradition. It has unique ceremonies that are expressions of
peace, harmony, and balance that exists between the
people and their natural surroundings. The Koreans have
close affinity to nature, and it is reflected in their art. They
also put emphasis on simplicity, and have a great
fascination and appreciation for natural beauty.
 Painting flourished during the
Goguryeo Kingdom. This
became evident with the
discovery of the Koguryo tombs
for the kings and wealthy
members of the royal family
and aristocracy. Most of the
Teacher and tombs have wall paintings that
Pupils Seodang depicted scenes of daily life and
(Genre Painting) hunting as well as portraits of
the occupants. Most subjects
were based on real sceneries
rather than stylized ideas.
ART OF KOREA: PAINTINGS
At the height of the Choson
period, genre paintings and
true-view paintings were
introduced. These art styles
used daily-life scenes and
actual sceneries in Korea as
the subject for paintings and
became significant because
they gave an idea of how
people lived during the
Choson period.
 ART OF KOREA: ARCHITECTURE
Korea’s historical architecture is
characterized by elegance of
form and marked with
symbolism. Korean palaces were
painted brightly and were usually
constructed in scenic mountain
locations where peace and
serenity were daily experiences.

During the Choson dynasty, Neo-Confucian ideals

were emphasized. This style is visual representation
of practicality, frugality, and harmony with nature.
THE UNIQUE KOREAN ALPHABET
One of the most fascinating things about
Korean culture is in writing system. It is
called Hangul or Hangeul from the words
han, which means “big” or “great”, and gel,
which refers to alphabet. Hangul is unique
to Korea and said to be one of the most
beautiful alphabets in the world, and one of
the easiest to learn.
It was invented by King Sejong the Great
who reigned from 1418-1450 as the fourth
King of the Joseon Dynasty. Before
Hangul, Koreans wrote using Chinese
characters but it was not suitable for many
Korean words.
THE UNIQUE KOREAN ALPHABET

In the book Writing Systems,

the author Professor Geoffrey
Sampson of the University of
Sussex wrote: “Hangul must
unquestionably rank as one of
the great intellectual
achievements of Human kind.
They also celebrate a national
holiday every October 9 as
Hangul Day.
 SUMMARY OF THE LESSON
1. Chinese art revolves around the principle of harmonious balance
emphasizing its innate and sacred connection with nature.
2. Different types of art are developed according to the interest and
patronage of each dynasty, as well as demands of regional rulers.
3. Chinese art significantly contributed not only to the visual arts and
culture of Asia, but also of the entire world.
4. Japanese art and culture draw strong influences from its geography,
religion, and environment.
5. Japanese made their own mark in the fields of painting, sculpture,
architecture as well as the other forms of practical arts such as Ikebana,
Bonsai-making and culinary arts.
6. Japanese are known for their manga and animation.
7. Korean art is characterized by its emphasis on simplicity and with
nature.
8. Koreans have deep passion and appreciation for natural beauty.